Ulrich van den Berg’s experience came to the fore on Wednesday, as he charged to an untainted five-under-par 67 in the opening round of the Big Easy Tour final event at The Els Club, Copperleaf, in Centurion.
With the stakes as high as they are this week – where the top 12 players on the Order of Merit will receive their Sunshine Tour playing privileges at the conclusion of this event – it was the veteran Van den Berg who rose to the top, cementing a two-stroke lead over Graham van der Merwe.
Lying eighth on the Order of Merit list following a stellar season on this Sunshine Tour feeder circuit, Van den Berg came into this 54-hole tournament as one of the most experienced and in-form players.
He opened his round with a birdie on the par-fourth first and followed that up with nine straight pars as he sought to avoid the big numbers.
Now settled and in control, Van den Berg found another birdie on 12, and two more on 14 and 15.
He sealed his round with another birdie on 18 for a score of 67.
“The course is very soft, so it’s playing to its full length,” said Van den Berg who has eight Sunshine Tour victories to his name.
“It was a grind out there. I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of good iron shots and I was able to have a nice little run around the back nine, which helped my scorecard.”
LIVELIHOODS AT STAKE
Van den Berg is fully aware of what’s at stake this week and his position on the points list is suggestive of a man who has had a solid plan all season long.
“For me, personally, this event is about trying to get my Sunshine Tour card back for next year,” said Van den Berg.
“All my exemptions that I’ve had from all my years on the Tour have now come an end, hence I’ve been playing the Betway Big Easy Tour this year; to try and secure that.
“And, obviously, everybody else is trying to do the same thing. We are playing to try to secure a spot to play for our livelihoods. That comes with different pressures.”
Second on the leaderboard is Graham van der Merwe who won the Krugersdorp tournament and who lies one spot behind Van den Berg on the Order of Merit.
His solid round of 69 was characterised by four birdies and a solitary drop.
Drikus Joubert and Zimbabwe’s David Amm share the third spot on the leaderboard with four players who have each won a tournament this season – Warwick Purchase, Luke Mayo, Marcel Scholts-Steyn and last tournament’s winner, England’s Joe Knox.
Only the top 30 players on the Order of Merit are eligible for the Final.
The Betway Big Easy Tour is the feeder circuit of the Sunshine Tour and enjoys the support of legendary South African golfer, Ernie Els, among many other patrons.